EP2922766B1 - Single use container with dispenser - Google Patents

Single use container with dispenser Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2922766B1
EP2922766B1 EP13856579.1A EP13856579A EP2922766B1 EP 2922766 B1 EP2922766 B1 EP 2922766B1 EP 13856579 A EP13856579 A EP 13856579A EP 2922766 B1 EP2922766 B1 EP 2922766B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
applicator
seal
single use
channel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP13856579.1A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2922766A1 (en
EP2922766A4 (en
Inventor
Sean Thomas KINSMAN
Timothy Scott HANSEN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RP Scherer Technologies LLC
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RP Scherer Technologies LLC
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Publication date
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Publication of EP2922766A1 publication Critical patent/EP2922766A1/en
Publication of EP2922766A4 publication Critical patent/EP2922766A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2922766B1 publication Critical patent/EP2922766B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
    • B65D35/24—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices
    • B65D35/36—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor with auxiliary devices for applying contents to surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
    • B65D23/10—Handles
    • B65D23/102—Gripping means formed in the walls, e.g. roughening, cavities, projections
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M35/00—Devices for applying media, e.g. remedies, on the human body
    • A61M35/003—Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M35/00—Devices for applying media, e.g. remedies, on the human body
    • A61M35/003—Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media
    • A61M35/006—Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media using sponges, foams, absorbent pads or swabs as spreading means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/32—Containers adapted to be temporarily deformed by external pressure to expel contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D35/00—Pliable tubular containers adapted to be permanently or temporarily deformed to expel contents, e.g. collapsible tubes for toothpaste or other plastic or semi-liquid material; Holders therefor
    • B65D35/44—Closures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/42—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices with pads or like contents-applying means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
    • B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
    • B65D51/22—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure
    • B65D51/221—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure a major part of the inner closure being left inside the container after the opening
    • B65D51/222—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing having means for piercing, cutting, or tearing the inner closure a major part of the inner closure being left inside the container after the opening the piercing or cutting means being integral with, or fixedly attached to, the outer closure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to single use containers including applicator.
  • the present invention is directed to blow-fill-sealed single use containers for storing and dispensing a fluid substance.
  • the fluids include a wide variety of products, including food products such as condiments, personal care products such as shampoos and skin creams, cleaning products such as various packaged "wipes,” and pharmaceutical products such as medications.
  • a popular package is a single serving package formed from two sheets of foil or plastic, superimposed over one another and sealed together around the periphery.
  • the package has a notch or other means to facilitate tearing one edge away from the container. The user tears open the container, dispenses the fluid, and disposes of the container.
  • One such example is a single serving ketchup package.
  • the package contains no means for directing or spreading the dispensed fluid.
  • thick fluids tend to be dispensed from this type of package as a bolus, leaving the user to find a way to spread the bolus.
  • thin fluids tend to be dispensed from this type of package in a difficult to control stream.
  • this type of package can be quite difficult to open, particularly for those with arthritic hands or otherwise compromised grip strength.
  • This difficulty is at least in part caused by the fact that, in the conventional designs of this package, it is necessary to tear away one of the sidewalls of the package in order to release the contents.
  • the same sidewall must be sufficiently strong to contain the contents of the package under normal handling conditions, which may include accidental compression. Even a small amount of moisture or skin oil on the surface of the package can make gripping and tearing the strong sidewall quite difficult. Frustrated users often use their teeth to open ostensibly manually "tear open" packages, presenting aesthetic and hygienic issues.
  • the velocity of the fluid as it is expelled from the package varies with the viscosity of the fluid, the amount of sidewall opened and the pressure applied.
  • a relatively strong squeeze on the package can propel the low viscosity fluid within the package to quite some distance. This can create a nuisance for the user.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,851 discloses a sponge applicator attached to a tube dispenser that contains a quantity of a substance, such as painter's spackle, to be dispensed. After use, the sponge applicator is designed to be removed, cleaned, and returned to the tube dispenser. The reuse of the sponge applicator raises issues of potential hardening and chemical or bacterial deterioration of the sponge. This applicator is unsuitable for use with products such as those intended for human consumption, where reuse of the applicator may cause bacterial contamination.
  • U.S. Pat. No. D363,377 similarly discloses an integral spreader, which provides a roller atop a dispensing container. The roller spreads the dispensed fluid, but is subject to the same cleaning and hygienic drawbacks.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,264 discloses a package comprising two superimposed sheets sealed together around their periphery, with the provision of peelable flaps along one edge of the package. The user peels back the flaps, pulling apart one sealed edge of the package and thus exposing the contents. The peeled back flaps, at an approximate 90-degree angle to the package, thereby provide a butterfly wing type spreader for spreading the contents.
  • Such a design overcomes any need to clean or re-use the spreading device, as the entire package is disposable after use.
  • an absorbent foam applicator is either applied in two pieces to the opposing flaps or is applied in a single piece bridging the flaps.
  • Such embodiments are designed to provide an absorbent surface area to facilitate the spreading of the dispensed fluid.
  • this design has achieved only marginal success because the separate foam applicators are ineffective in retarding the sudden flow of the fluid from the ruptured packaging.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,137 discloses a container with an enlarged ear-like structure that facilitates grip, including a channel portion within the ear-like structure to minimize the sudden gushing of contained substance under pressure, especially for substances with low viscosity.
  • the container does not include any means for spreading a bolus of dispensed liquid.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,123 discloses a flexible container that provides for the storage and mixing of diluents and medicaments.
  • the container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by preferentially peelable seals, in which the diluents and medicaments are stored.
  • the peelable seals are ruptured by manipulation of the container to thereby mix the components together for delivery through standard I.V. equipment to a patient.
  • the seals are constructed such that the seal between the diluent and medicament compartments is preferentially ruptured to allow the liquid medicament and diluent to be mixed before the combined solution is accessible for administration.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,335 discloses a dispensing container including a compartment, a chamber, and an applicator pad.
  • the chamber and the compartment may be fabricated out of separate materials that are bonded together. It is preferred, however, that the chamber and the compartment be fabricated from the same material as a single structure separated into two sections by a frangible seal.
  • the container is designed to contain a flowable substance that can be dispensed by applying pressure upon the compartment area, where the substance is stored. The pressure ruptures the frangible seal and expresses the substance into the chamber, behind the applicator.
  • the expansion of the chamber walls and the resilience of the applicator pad allow the substance to spread out behind and into the applicator, where it is available to be expelled and applied.
  • U.S. Patent no. 5,042,690 relates to a single-use container according to the preamble of claim 1, designed to store and dispense a liquid substance.
  • the container includes a container body for storing the liquid substance.
  • the container body defines a storage compartment and a neck and includes a frangible seal.
  • the container also includes a structure for piercing the frangible seal.
  • the piercing structure includes a channel that terminates at the applicator. Fluid pressure exerted on the applicator by fluid passing through the channel in the piercing structure is countered by a lip that forcibly holds the applicator in place against the fluid pressure
  • the present invention is directed to a single-use container designed to store and dispense a liquid substance.
  • the container includes a container body for storing the liquid substance.
  • the container body defines a storage compartment and a neck and includes a frangible seal.
  • the container also includes a cap adapted to engage the container body and including structure for piercing the frangible seal.
  • the cap also includes an upper portion that defines a recess and a channel through which fluid is passed when during dispensing.
  • the container also includes an applicator positioned in the recess of the cap such that fluid passed through the channel encounters the applicator as it is dispensed.
  • the applicator and recess together define a chamber between an end of the channel and the applicator to allow liquid to flow from said channel into said chamber.
  • the chamber has a perimeter measured in a horizontal plane when the container is upright, that is larger than a perimeter of the channel, also as measured in a horizontal plane when the container is upright, to allow expansion of liquid flowing
  • the invention will be described with the body of the container of this invention standing upright on a surface, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., will be used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the container may be manufactured, transported, stored, and sold in an orientation other than that illustrated.
  • the present invention relates to a single-use container 1 provided with a dispenser.
  • the container 1 includes a container body 100, a cap 200 and an applicator 300.
  • the container of the present invention may be fabricated by, for example, a blow-fill-seal seal process. In such a process, the container 1 is first blow molded to define a storage compartment. Then, the storage compartment of container 1 is filled with a liquid material. Finally, the filled container 1 is sealed to thereby seal the liquid material within the storage compartment.
  • container body 100 includes an upper portion that forms a neck 102 and a lower portion 104. Upper and lower portions 102 and 104 of container body 100 define a storage compartment for storing a liquid substance.
  • the neck 102 of container body 100 is provided with structure, such as threads 101, for releasably engaging cap 200 with neck 102.
  • Container body 100 is provided with a frangible seal 109 to seal the liquid substance in the storage compartment.
  • the upper portion of container 100 may also be provided with a flange 111 for the purpose of providing a stop to position cap 200 in a desired position on neck 102.
  • lower portion 104 of container body 100 may be provided with a structure that facilitates gripping of lower portion 104, such as protrusions 103 or recesses in the surface thereof.
  • the gripping structure may form a design pattern for aesthetic purposes.
  • the design pattern is a set of parallel stripes formed by protrusions 103. Any suitable structure for facilitating gripping of container 1 may be used in the present invention.
  • the storage compartment of lower portion 104 may be any suitable shape or configuration, but preferably lower portion 104 is formed in the shape of a bottle, as shown in Figures 2A-2B .
  • Lower portion 104 is provided with sufficient flexibility to allow the user to deform lower portion 104 by application of force to thereby propel the liquid substance through the ruptured frangible seal 109.
  • the lower portion 104 may be fabricated as a rigid structure.
  • Container body 100 of the single use container may be an integral, sealed structure.
  • a breach 105 is made in frangible seal 109 and the liquid substance stored in the storage compartment of lower portion 104 can be released or propelled out of the storage compartment via the breach 105 in frangible seal 109 and neck 102 to cap 200.
  • the neck 102 has a means or structure for engaging cap 200.
  • the present invention envisions any suitable engaging means capable of engaging neck 102 with cap 200.
  • One such mean is threads 101 on the outer surface of the neck 102 as shown in Figures 2A-2C .
  • Other suitable structures such as a friction fit, snap fit or other engaging means which provide a seal between cap 200 and neck 102 to prevent fluid from leaking may be employed.
  • the frangible seal 109 may be of any suitable size. Breach 105 in frangible seal 109 may be sized for dispensing the liquid substance stored in the storage compartment 104, and its size may be adjusted for the viscosity of the liquid substance, based on the rate at which it is desirable to dispense the liquid substance or a combination thereof. As a general rule, the size of breach 105 may be increased when the viscosity of the liquid substance increases. Other properties of the liquid substance may also influence the selection of the desired size of breach 105 in frangible seal 109. If the liquid substance is to be dispensed in only small quantity or slowly, then breach 105 in frangible seal 109 may be relatively small. One the contrary, when the liquid substance is to be dispensed in a large quantity or quickly, breach 105 in frangible seal 109 is preferably relatively larger in size.
  • the body 100 of the container of the present invention may be made of any suitable materials known to a skilled person, but typically body 100 is made from a thermoplastic material.
  • Body 100 may be made from various flexible materials, including various plastics.
  • body 100 can be made from low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP).
  • LDPE low density polyethylene
  • HDPE high density polyethylene
  • PP polypropylene
  • the materials employed to construct body 100 may be transparent or opaque. A transparent body 100 would allow the contents of the container to be visually inspected and allow the level of the dispensed substance in the container to be visually verified during dispensing.
  • Cap 200 may be made from the same or different material as body 100.
  • Cap 200 includes a lower portion 202 adapted to engage with neck 102 of container body 100.
  • Cap 200 also includes an upper portion 201 adapted for receiving applicator 300.
  • Upper portion 201 of cap 200 forms a recess 203 at its top that is adapted to receive the applicator 300 by providing a recess 203 of the required size and shape to house applicator 300.
  • Upper portion 201 of cap 200 may also be provided with a gripping means such as protrusions, ridges, a roughened surface or recesses in the surface thereof in order to facilitate gripping of upper portion 201 of cap 200 in use.
  • applicator 300 is retained in recess 203 by a suitable retaining means.
  • applicator 300 may be glued in recess 203, may be sized to provide a friction fit between applicator 300 and recess 203, or recess 203 may be provided with an upper lip 206 located around the periphery of recess 203 and above applicator 300 when positioned in recess 203, to retain applicator 300 in recess 203.
  • Other suitable mechanisms known a skilled person may be used to retain applicator 300 in the recess 203, such as frictional means, crimping and various retainer clips.
  • Applicator 300 may also be affixed to surface 208 using hot-melt techniques or other fusion methods. Combinations of two or more of these retaining means may also be employed.
  • recess 203 defines a surface 208 upon which applicator 300 rests or to which applicator 300 may be glued or bonded.
  • a chamber 204 is defined as between the bottom of applicator 300 and lower surface 209 of chamber 204.
  • Chamber 204 may absorb the hydraulic shock if the liquid substance is propelled at relative high velocity through frangible seal 109. Chamber 204 allows the dispensed liquid substance to spread out and may be used to dissipate energy from the fluid caused by passing the fluid through the narrow frangible seal 109 at a relatively high velocity. Chamber 204 also allows the liquid to spread out over a significant portion of the surface area of the bottom of applicator 300 to facilitate delivery of the liquid to applicator 300.
  • Chamber 204 should be sufficiently large to provide a reservoir to accommodate a volume of liquid substance when the liquid substance is delivered to chamber 204. If chamber 204 is too small, the liquid substance tends may pass through or past the applicator 300, without sufficient or desirable spreading of the fluid over the surface of applicator 300. If chamber 204 is too large, it is possible for the liquid substance in the chamber 204 to achieve such a low-pressure state that it does not pass into applicator 300.
  • a channel 205 starts from lower surface 209 of chamber 204 at a location offset from the central axis of the container (the central axis 214 of the container being located at the point where the two perpendicular dotted lines cross as shown in Figure 4 ) and passes through spike 207 of cap 200.
  • Channel 205 is preferably offset from the center so that it can traverse the length of spike 207 without interfering with the piercing tip 212 of spike 207.
  • Figures 5-6 depict cross-sectional views of cap 200 engaged with neck 102 in the dispensing position.
  • Figures 5-6 show that lower portion 202 of cap 200 includes mating threads 211 adapted to engage threads 101 of neck 102.
  • Upper portion 201 of cap 200 is provided with is a spike 207 protruding downwards toward lower portion 202.
  • Spike 207 includes a piercing tip 212 adapted to pierce frangible seal 109. In operation, as cap 200 is screwed onto neck 102 spike 207 pierces and breaches frangible seal 109.
  • Spike 207 includes a tapered portion 213 to help ensure that spike 207 completely fills the pierced opening in frangible seal 109, such that the liquid substance will not leak between spike 207 and frangible seal 109.
  • frangible seal 109 may be made from a material which is adapted to seal around spike 107, such as an elastic material.
  • Channel 205 runs through spike 207 at a location offset from central axis 214 as shown in Figure 5 .
  • Channel 205 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape such as circular, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagon or hexagon, with circular being the preferred shape.
  • Channel 205 exits from spike 207 through tapered portion 213 in the vicinity of piercing tip 212 at a location that ensures that the end of channel 205 passes through frangible seal 109 and provides a means for egress of liquid from compartment 104 of container body 100 into chamber 204 of cap 200.
  • the cross-section of channel 205 may be varied according to the liquid substance and how the substance is to be dispensed. For a low viscosity liquid substance, or when the liquid substance is intended to be dispensed slowly, the cross-section of channel 205 may be relatively small to restrict flow of the liquid substance. If the viscosity of the liquid substance is high or the liquid substance is intended to be dispensed quickly, the cross-section of channel 205 may be relatively larger to facilitate passage of the liquid.
  • Neck 102 and lower portion 202 of cap 200 are adapted such that when cap 200 is screwed tightly onto neck 102, spike 207 has already pierced frangible seal 109 and has advanced a sufficient distance to position the opening of channel 205 at the lower end of spike 207 within compartment 104 while maintaining spike 207 at a position where tapered portion 213 engages frangible seal 109 to ensure a good seal around spike 207.
  • Applicator 300 is adapted to fit in recess 203 of cap 200 at a location above chamber 204.
  • the shapes of applicator 300 and recess 203 are the same and may be any desired shape such as cubical, cylindrical, trapezoidal and the like.
  • Applicator 300 of the embodiment depicted in the drawings is cylindrical.
  • Applicator 300 is preferably absorbent, to facilitate the flow of dispensed liquid substance into applicator 300, and to allow the user to apply the dispensed liquid substance easily, comfortably and cleanly.
  • Applicator 300 may be constructed of porous foam pads, woven or non-woven fabrics or felts.
  • One material used for the applicator 300 according to the present invention may be a sponge having a pore size of about 90 ppi, a density between 1.76-2.30 lbs/ft 3 ; a tensile strength of 26.0 psi; an elongation of 302%; a tear strength of up to 2.9 lbs/in; a CLD 25%R 0.34 psi; and a CLD 65%R 0.49 psi.
  • the material may have a compression set of about 50%.
  • applicator 300 may be a substantially porous pad, such as a foam pad.
  • the foam pad can be constructed of many natural and synthetic materials.
  • the foam pad should have good reservoiring or holding capacity for the liquid substance to be dispensed, as well as fast fluid release for transferring the substance to the skin upon application of pressure to applicator 300.
  • applicator 300 is a polyurethane foam pad.
  • a 100-pore-inch polyurethane foam pad works well when dispensing liquids of the consistency of hand lotion and the like.
  • One especially useful foam pad is a product from Jacob Holm Industries of Helen, Ga., known as NORAFIN brand nonwoven spun-laced roll, which is a needle punch composite material comprising 63% lycose, 27% polypropylene and 10% polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
  • NORAFIN brand nonwoven spun-laced roll which is a needle punch composite material comprising 63% lycose, 27% polypropylene and 10% polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
  • applicator 300 may be made of a sponge or porous material, which may be produced by injection molding. Density of the sponge may be adjusted according to the liquid substance and how the substance is dispensed. For low viscosity liquid substances, the density of the sponge or porous material may be relatively high to allow slower movement of the liquid substance through applicator 300. If the viscosity of the liquid substance is high or the liquid substance is intended to be dispensed quickly, the density of the sponge may be relatively low to facilitate passage of the liquid substance through applicator 300.
  • the applicator may have a pore size of from about 60-120 ppi, or, 70-110 ppi, or 80-100 ppi, or 90 ppi.
  • the applicator may have a density between about 1.5 and 3.0 lbs/ft 3 , or between about 1.6 and 2.5 lbs/ft 3 , or between about 1.76 and 2.30 lbs/ft 3 , or between about 1.9 and 2.1 lbs/ft 3 .
  • the single dose container may include an applicator cover adapted to releasably enclose applicator 300 until ready for use. Additionally or alternately, the entire container could be enclosed in a suitable packaging or sterile packaging if desired.
  • Container body 100 and cap 200 may be packaged separately or may be packaged together within a single package either with cap 200 disengaged from neck 102 or cap 200 only partially screwed onto neck 102 such that spike 207 remains spaced from frangible seal 109.
  • container body 100 and cap 200 are removed from the packaging and cap 200 is screwed tightly onto neck 102 of container body 100 to cause spike 207 to penetrate frangible seal 109 and fluidly connect channel 209 from chamber 204 to compartment 104.
  • Container body 100 is then squeezed to exert pressure on compartment 104 which transfers the exerted pressure to the liquid forcing it through channel 209 into chamber 204. Once the liquid reaches chamber 204 it spreads out and absorbs into absorbent and/or porous applicator 300.
  • Applicator 300 may then be used as a tool for spreading the liquid substance onto the surface.
  • the single dose container is typically a relatively small, hand held device, but there are no particular restrictions on the size of the container or the amount of liquid substance that might be dispensed, other than the general considerations of size, weight, and resultant ease of use.
  • the single use container is suitable for storing liquid substance with viscosity as low as 1 centipoise, as well as liquid substance with high viscosity in the range of thousands of centipoise.
  • the single use container of the present invention may be manufactured by any method known to a person skilled in the art, at least container body 100 is preferably manufactured by a blow-fill-seal process.
  • the material for making container body 100 is extruded as a length of parison in the form of a vertically oriented, elongated, hollow tube between a pair of main mold halves for initially forming a container body 100 with an open top.
  • Means are provided for maintaining the opening at the top of the length of parison in the portion of the parison extending upwardly above the main mold.
  • An extendable and retractable blowing assembly with a sealing mandrel and blowing nozzle is extended into the length of parison in the main mold halves to temporarily seal the opening.
  • a gas is injected into the parison to mold the container with or without vacuum assist in the mold cavity defined by the main mold halves.
  • the main mold halves (or other mold members), along with the cooperating sealing mandrel on the blowing assembly, typically define a structure for molding the frangible seal on the top of container body 100.
  • the single dose container with dispenser according to the present invention answers a long felt need for a low cost disposable packaging for a wide array of liquid substances, which can include, by way of example and not limitation; pharmaceutical antiseptics, salves, cosmetics, ointments and creams.
  • the containers are especially suitable for low viscosity substances.
  • the container provides a packaging that offers convenience in storage, resistance to package breakage, better sanitation, and lower spillage or waste. Additionally, the container provides a package that allows a user to apply a small measured quantity of a substance in a controlled manner without getting it on the fingers or hands and without the necessity of using the fingers, hands or an additional implement to spread the substance.
  • One material used for the applicator 300 according to the present invention is the Z110CLMA sponge manufactured by Foamex.
  • the sponge has pore size of 90 ppi, a density between 1.76-2.30 lbs/ft 3 ; a tensile strength of 26.0 psi; an elongation of 302%; a tear strength of up to 2.9 lbs/in; a CLD 25%R 0.34 psi; and a CLD 65%R 0.49 psi.
  • a material with a compression set of 50% was also tested.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Containers Opened By Tearing Frangible Portions (AREA)
EP13856579.1A 2012-11-21 2013-11-13 Single use container with dispenser Active EP2922766B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201261728836P 2012-11-21 2012-11-21
PCT/US2013/069781 WO2014081592A1 (en) 2012-11-21 2013-11-13 Single use container with dispenser

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2922766A1 EP2922766A1 (en) 2015-09-30
EP2922766A4 EP2922766A4 (en) 2015-09-30
EP2922766B1 true EP2922766B1 (en) 2016-06-15

Family

ID=50776467

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13856579.1A Active EP2922766B1 (en) 2012-11-21 2013-11-13 Single use container with dispenser

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US9688444B2 (enExample)
EP (1) EP2922766B1 (enExample)
JP (1) JP6165874B2 (enExample)
CN (1) CN104903205B (enExample)
AR (1) AR093556A1 (enExample)
BR (1) BR112015011470B1 (enExample)
ES (1) ES2592409T3 (enExample)
WO (1) WO2014081592A1 (enExample)

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US9650188B1 (en) 2016-04-14 2017-05-16 Healthstar, Inc. Delayed pierce, sealed container
US10676261B2 (en) 2017-09-07 2020-06-09 Silgan White Cap LLC Closure assembly
WO2019138549A1 (ja) * 2018-01-12 2019-07-18 ハクゾウメディカル株式会社 液体塗布具
WO2020174421A1 (en) * 2019-02-26 2020-09-03 3M Innovative Properties Company A system and method for prepping liquid
KR200497026Y1 (ko) * 2021-02-18 2023-07-05 주식회사 다우기업 애완동물용 도포용기
USD1013521S1 (en) 2021-04-08 2024-02-06 H.J. Heinz Company Brands Llc Bottle
USD1030493S1 (en) 2021-09-24 2024-06-11 H.J. Heinz Company Brands Llc Bottle
USD1043348S1 (en) 2021-09-24 2024-09-24 H.J. Heinz Company Brands Llc Bottle
USD1041314S1 (en) 2021-11-16 2024-09-10 H. J. Heinz Company Brands Llc Bottle
USD1070513S1 (en) * 2023-02-07 2025-04-15 Fullstar Houseware LLC Bottle
USD1070500S1 (en) * 2023-02-07 2025-04-15 Fullstar Houseware LLC Bottle
USD1070498S1 (en) * 2023-02-07 2025-04-15 Fullstar Houseware LLC Bottle
USD1071661S1 (en) * 2023-02-07 2025-04-22 Fullstar Houseware LLC Bottle
USD1052341S1 (en) 2023-03-07 2024-11-26 Fullstar Houseware LLC Bottle
USD1102225S1 (en) 2023-04-20 2025-11-18 Nuataaq Holdings, LLC Combined cap and carabiner
US12404081B2 (en) * 2023-04-20 2025-09-02 Nuataaq Holdings, LLC Beverage container and carabiner assembly

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US5928213A (en) 1996-05-13 1999-07-27 B. Braun Medical, Inc. Flexible multiple compartment medical container with preferentially rupturable seals
US6488665B1 (en) 1997-04-08 2002-12-03 Allegiance Corporation Antimicrobial alcohol gel pre-operative skin-preparation delivery system
AU747580B2 (en) * 1998-09-15 2002-05-16 Loctite Corporation Dispensing closure assembly
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2592409T3 (es) 2016-11-30
US20150307237A1 (en) 2015-10-29
JP2016503369A (ja) 2016-02-04
BR112015011470A2 (pt) 2017-07-11
BR112015011470B1 (pt) 2021-01-19
EP2922766A1 (en) 2015-09-30
CN104903205B (zh) 2017-04-05
EP2922766A4 (en) 2015-09-30
JP6165874B2 (ja) 2017-07-19
CN104903205A (zh) 2015-09-09
US9688444B2 (en) 2017-06-27
WO2014081592A1 (en) 2014-05-30
AR093556A1 (es) 2015-06-10

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